As you accumulate miles on your engine, what it needs to operate efficiently changes. Internal engine components begin to wear out and sludge begins to form. The oil you’ve been using since the vehicle was new may not be what your aging motor needs now that it’s surpassed the 75,000-mile mark.
High-mileage engine oil is formulated with unique additives that include: seal conditioners that swell and rejuvenate seals, tougher detergents to remove carbon build up and sludge and viscosity modifiers that reduce oil burning and help keep the oil from thinning out during its service life.
You can purchase high-mileage oil as a full-synthetic or as a synthetic and conventional oil blend. Using either formulation can offer better protection and benefits than the original oil will in older engines. So, ask yourself … if high-mileage oil prolongs the life of seals, gaskets and internal engine parts up into the 250,000-mile range, is it worth the cost? Plus, if you’ve had the vehicle since it was new, hopefully it’s paid off and you can invest a little of the payment you were making on some “age appropriate” oil for your old friend.
NOTE: If your engine has less than 75,000 miles, no need to use high-mileage oil. Also, it can’t fix major internal engine problems such as a rod knock, burnt valves, major oil leaks, severe oil burning or piston slap. Those issues need to be repaired.